Device and method for raising or moving a person

ABSTRACT

A device for moving a person to and from a seated position including a frame, an auxiliary arm having first and second ends and extending laterally outwardly from the frame, a first pivotal connection between the frame and the first end of the auxiliary arm, a lifting arm having first and second ends, a second pivotal connection between the first end of the lifting arm and the second end of the auxiliary arm, a first motor connected between the frame and the auxiliary arm, and a second motor connected to the lifting arm. A method of moving a person to a standing position from a seated position on a seat including the steps of providing an attachment member for engagement with the person, moving the person who is connected to the attachment member slightly upwardly and thereafter in an essentially horizontal direction, and thereafter moving the person in an essentially vertical direction to a standing position, returning the person from a standing position to the seated position by moving the person essentially horizontally to above the seat, and then moving the person essentially vertically onto the seat.

The present invention relates to a device according to the preamble ofclaim 1.

Such a device is disclosed in GB-A-2,140,773. In this patentspecification the position of the lifting arm can be changed with regardto the position of the auxiliary arm by a manually operated cammeganism. In this way the lifting arm can be adapted to the position ofthe person to be lifted. The lifting arm assembly is hingeably mountedon en essentially vertical frame. With this arrangement it is essentialthat the length of the lifting arm corresponds to the length of thefemur of the person concerned. By turning the lifting arm assembly withrespect to the frame, the person can be raised. With this arrangement itis assumed that a sort of parallelogram construction is produced, twosides of the parallelogram being formed by, on one side, the lifting armand, on the other side, the femur of the patient.

It has been found that a lifting movement of this type is unnatural,offers no possibilities for providing adjustment to suit persons whostill have some strength to stand up on their own and is unsuitable forrehabilitation purpose. Moreover, problems arise with people ofdifferent heights.

The aim of the present invention is to provide a device which does nothave these disadvantages.

This aim is realized with the device as described above having thecharacterizing features of claim 1.

The invention is based on the insight of replacing the lifting armassembly by an articulated construction consisting of the lifting armand an auxiliary arm connected thereto. The auxiliary arm, in turn, isconnected to the frame. In this way it is possible to execute a largenumber of different movements at the ends of the lifting arm, which isgripped by the patient. Such gripping can take place either byattachment means such as grab bars or a strap which is fastened to theends of the lifting arm, or by both said means.

As a result of the articulated construction it is, for example, possiblewhen raising a person from a seated position first to let said personmove essentially forwards towards the device and then move essentiallyupwards, that is to say in the vertical direction.

This is in contrast to the device according to the above-mentionedBritish Application GB-2,110,773, in which the first part of themovement will always be essentially vertical or, in an extreme case,horizontal in the direction away from the device.

The movement which is possible using the device according to theinvention is much more natural and stimulates the person concerned tocooperate in being raised, so that his or her muscle function ismaintained and/or trained as far as possible.

Moreover, this construction offers the possibility of following adifferent path when moving from the standing position into the seatedposition. In such a case it is possible for the patient first to bemoved from the standing position horizontally to above the seat and thenbe moved vertically.

It must be understood that numerous other seated/standing/seated pathsare also possible with the construction according to the invention.

The means for controlling the movement of the lifting arm from the framepreferably comprise a rod transmission. Because said rod transmissionwill in practice largely be under tensile stress, a more flexibletransmission is likewise possible. Preferably, a safety device is fittedto prevent the person from being trapped between the arm and his or herchair.

If a rod transmission is used, two rods hingeably connected to oneanother are preferably fitted, one of said rods being pivotably mountedin the hinge point of the auxiliary arm in the frame. In this way theforce needed to move the lifting arm essentially bypasses the auxiliaryarm. Consequently, independent movement of auxiliary arm and lifting armis relatively simple to achieve because movement of the one arm has noeffect on the operating force on the other arm.

The arms can be controlled by operating elements such as motors. Themotors are preferably of such construction that the movement generatedby the motors is actually recorded. The various features can becontrolled via a central control unit, such as a programmable logiccontroller, also known as a PLC. With a control of this type it ispossible to incorporate various paths. It is also possible to vary theforce with which the motors are operated. After all, for rehabilitationpurposes it is important that the seated person is trained to use atleast some of his or her own strength to stand up. By designing thevarious features in such a way that the lifting force is limited, such aperson is stimulated to use his or her own strength. Moreover, it ispossible to allow the motors to operate at various speeds, optionallydepending on the response from the person concerned.

A further possibility which may be mentioned is design of the controlunit in such a way that the control starts the begin of the movementpath at the point in time when the motors are subjected to a resistingforce, that is to say at the point in time at which the device has"taken up the strain". That is to say an accurately defined lifting pathis always executed from the start of lifting irrespective of theposition of the seated person with respect to the lifting device.

Preferably, knee supports are provided, against which the person cansupport him- or herself while being raised. Preferably, these supportsare mounted such that they are flexible with respect to the frame.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the device according tothe present invention is provided with read-out means. This enables theactivities carried out by the device to be read out at a centrallocation. This can take place with the aid of a connector or can also beeffected by cordless means. The device can furthermore be provided withmeans for patient-specific read-out of the activities executed by thedevice.

The invention also relates to a method according to claim 11. Preferableembodiments are described in claims 12 and 13. From the European patentapplication 0,547,901 a lifting arm is known hingedly or pivotallyconnected to a frame wherein at a free extremety of the lifting armfixings for a support belt are provided. At a raising of the lifting armthis free extremety described a circle such that the patient is bothlifted in upward direction and in a direction to the frame.

The invention will be explained in more detail below with reference toan illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the drawings. Inthe drawings:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the device according to theinvention;

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the device in use with a seated person;

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the device with the person in the standingposition;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the lifting arm/auxiliary arm assembly; and

FIGS. 5-7 show, diagrammatically, various positions of liftingarm/auxiliary arm and rod transmission.

In FIG. 1 the device according to the invention is indicated in itsentirety by 1. This device consists of a frame 2, which is moved oncastors 15. That part of frame 2 which extends vertically is constructedsuch that it is offset somewhat to the left in connection with thepresence of auxiliary arm 5. This auxiliary arm 5 is shown in moredetail in FIG. 4. Only cover 3, which covers both auxiliary arm 5 androd 6, is visible in FIG. 1. Comparison of FIGS. 1 and 4 shows that thisauxiliary arm 5 is hingeably or pivotally attached to frame 2. Liftingarm 4 is hingeably or pivotally attached to the other free end ofauxiliary arm 5. Lifting arm 4 is likewise hingeably or pivotallyconnected to rod 6. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the lifting arm 4 isprovided with grab bars 7 as well as fixings 8 for a support belt 13,which is indicated diagrammatically. This support belt 13 can beunhooked from the fixings 8.

The other, free end of rod 6 is hingeably or pivotally connected to rod9. This rod 9 pivots about a hinge or pivot which is coincident with thehinge or pivot for auxiliary arm 5 with frame 2. The free end ofauxiliary arm 5, which is indicated by 14, and the free end of rod 9,which is indicated by 17, are connected to a motor 10 and 11respectively, as can be seen from FIG. 1. It can also be seen from FIG.1 that a pull bar 18 is provided, as well as a console 19 in whichvarious control instruments are housed. There is a control unit 16inside console 19. Display means can also be provided on console 19.

A set of knee supports 12 is also mounted on frame 2. These kneesupports are fixed such that they are flexible with respect to theframe, for example by fixing blocks of flexible material, such as rubberblocks, between knee supports and frame. These blocks are indicateddiagrammatically by 20 in FIG. 2.

By controlling the motors 10 and 11 it is possible to move auxiliary arm5 and lifting arm 4 independently of one another. Moreover, theconstruction of the rod transmission 6, 9 ensures that the force whichacts on lifting arm 4 is essentially taken up by motor 11, so that motor10 only has to have a rating which is appropriate for moving auxiliaryarm 5 and that motors 10 and 11 are subjected to approximately equalloads.

The position of the auxiliary arm and lifting arm can be determined withthe aid of counter devices fitted in the motors 10 and 11, which counterdevices record the number of revolutions. These motors can be, forexample, electric motors powered by a battery, which is not shown inmore detail, these motors operating the relevant arms with the aid of aworm/nut mechanism. A read-out connector is indicated by 21.

An example of raising a patient from a seated position, shown in FIG. 2,into a standing position, shown in FIG. 3, will be given below.

Starting from the situation shown in FIG. 2, lifting arm 4 will bepivoted to the left by means of motor 11 until motor 11 is subjected toa reaction force due to the weight or the seated person. At that pointin time the controller will be set to the 0 position and the program forthe specific movement path will be started. This movement path can bedetermined on console 19. It is also possible to fit a remote control.Starting from the "strain taken up" position shown in FIG. 2, the seatedperson will be moved slightly upwards and moved towards the device in anessentially horizontal direction by further pivoting of the lifting arm4, possibly corrected by a movement of auxiliary arm 5.

Depending on the condition of the person concerned, the horizontalforward movement will be continued. If the related person no longer hasany muscle strength at all, the forward movement will be less pronouncedthan in the case of persons who have some residual strength. Followingsaid horizontal movement, the person will be moved upwards byinteraction of auxiliary arm and lifting arm until the person ultimatelyassumes the position shown in FIG. 3.

When sitting down again, the person concerned will first be movedhorizontally in the direction away from the machine and then subjectedto a lowering movement, in contrast to the movement described above.

This procedure prevents the knees of the person concerned from "lockingup" when sitting down.

Using the device according to the invention it is possible to carry outlifting at different speeds.

During this movement the person can be supported by the support beltand/or hold onto grab bars 7.

FIGS. 5-7 show the device in various positions corresponding to FIGS. 2and 3 and a storage position.

It can be seen from the above that it is possible, using the devicedescribed above, to match the pattern of movement to the individualusing the device.

Furthermore, it is possible to provide the device with a memory in whichthe operations carried out therewith can be saved. A memory of this typecan be made patient-dependent. By providing a connection to a centralcomputer, which, for example, comprises the read-out connector 21, it ispossible to establish from a central location by whom and to what extentuse has been made of the device concerned. If, for example, the deviceis used in a toilet, it is possible to establish how frequently whichpersons have made use of that toilet. It is also possible to establishhow often the device described above is used.

If the data read out are patient-dependent, it is possible to establishwhether a patient is making more or less use of the device. This canindicate an improvement or a deterioration in condition. In this way amore objective determination of the state of health of the patient canbe obtained than is possible on the basis of different assessments byvarious members of the nursing staff.

Of course, it is also possible using this type of read-out to establishthe extent to which the device has been subject to malfunctions and thelike.

It must be understood that a read-out of this type, especially wherethis is carried out with the aim of patient-specific read-out relatingto the use of the device according to the invention, can also beemployed with other raising lifts or equipment used in the medicalworld.

Although the invention has been described above with reference to apreferred embodiment, it will be understood that numerous modificationscan be made thereto which are obvious variants of the principle of theinvention. This principle is described in the appended claims andcomprises an articulated construction of the lifting arm/auxiliary arm,as a result of which it is no longer necessary to maintain the purelycircular movement according to the prior art.

I claim:
 1. A device for moving a person to and from a seated positioncomprising a frame, an auxiliary arm having first and second ends andextending laterally outwardly from said frame, a first pivotalconnection between said frame and said first end of said auxiliary arm,a lifting arm having first and second ends, a second pivotal connectionbetween said first end of said lifting arm and said second end of saidauxiliary arm, a first motor connected between said frame and saidauxiliary arm, and a second motor connected to said lifting arm.
 2. Adevice as set forth in claim 1 including a linkage between said secondmotor and said lifting arm.
 3. A device as set forth in claim 2 whereinsaid second motor is mounted on said frame.
 4. A device as set forth inclaim 3 wherein said linkage comprises a first link having a first linkend and a second link end, a second link having a third link end and afourth link end, a third pivotal connection between said first link endand said lifting arm, a fourth pivotal connection between said secondlink end and said third link end, and a connection between said secondmotor and said fourth link end.
 5. A device as set forth in claim 4including a fifth pivotal connection between said second link and saidframe.
 6. A device as set forth in claim 5 wherein said fifth pivotalconnection is located between said third and fourth link ends.
 7. Adevice as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first pivotal connection andsaid fifth pivotal connection are located on substantially the samehorizontal axis.
 8. A device as set forth in claim 7 wherein said thirdpivotal connection is located between said first and second ends of saidlifting arm.
 9. A device as set forth in claim 1 including aprogrammable logic controller coupled to said first and second motors.10. A device as set forth in claim 9 including a linkage between saidsecond motor and said lifting arm.
 11. A device as set forth in claim 10wherein said second motor is mounted on said frame.
 12. A device as setforth in claim 11 wherein said linkage comprises a first link having afirst link end and a second link end, a second link having a third linkend and a fourth link end, a third pivotal connection between said firstlink end and said lifting arm, a fourth pivotal connection between saidsecond link end and said third link end, and a connection between saidsecond motor and said fourth link end.
 13. A device as set forth inclaim 12 including a fifth pivotal connection between said second linkand said frame.
 14. A device as set forth in claim 13 wherein said fifthpivotal connection is located between said third and fourth link ends.15. A device as set forth in claim 14 wherein said first pivotalconnection and said fifth pivotal connection are located onsubstantially the same horizontal axis.
 16. A device as set forth inclaim 15 wherein said third pivotal connection is located between saidfirst and second ends of said lifting arm.
 17. A device as set forth inclaim 1 including knee supports on said frame.
 18. A device as set forthin claim 17 including castors on said frame.
 19. A device for moving aperson to and from a seated position comprising a frame, an auxiliaryarm having first and second ends and extending laterally outwardly fromsaid frame, a first pivotal connection between said frame and said firstend of said auxiliary arm, a lifting arm having first and second ends, asecond pivotal connection between said first end of said lifting arm andsaid second end of said auxiliary arm, and motor means coupled to saidauxiliary arm and said lifting arm for pivoting said auxiliary arm andsaid lifting arm independently of each other.
 20. A device as set forthin claim 19 wherein said motor means comprise first and second motorsmounted on said frame.
 21. A device as set forth in claim 20 including afirst linkage between said first motor and said auxiliary arm, and asecond linkage between said second motor and said lifting arm.
 22. Adevice as set forth in claim 19 including a programmable logiccontroller coupled to said motor means.
 23. A method for moving a personfrom a seated to a standing position and vice versa with the use of alifting device which is arranged on the chest side of a person and whichhas a frame and an auxiliary arm pivotally mounted on said frame and alifting arm pivotally mounted on said auxiliary arm and a first motorconnected to said auxiliary arm and a second motor connected to saidlifting arm, and a support belt attached to the outer end of saidlifting arm which is placed around the person's back at armpit heightand on which a force is exerted on the person's chest side, comprisingthe steps of causing said first and second motors to actuate saidauxiliary arm and said lifting arm, respectively, to cause said personto be moved slightly upwardly and thereafter in an essentiallyhorizontal direction, and thereafter moving the person in an essentiallyvertical direction to a standing position.
 24. A method as set forth inclaim 23 including the steps of returning the person from a standingposition to said seated position by moving the person essentiallyhorizontally to above the seat, and then moving the person essentiallyvertically onto the seat.